2. analog
  3. 176743-41852

Phono Stage upgrade to complement Dohmann Helix One Mk 2

Thanks to the recommendations from many users on this Audiogon blog, I think I was able to make a more informed purchase of a turntable, the Dohmann Helix One Mk 2.  I've really been enjoying the turntable for the past month!  

The next phase of my system now needs attention:  the phono stage.  Currently, I'm using a Manley Steelhead v2 running into an Ypsilon PST-100 Mk2 SE pre-amplifier (into Ypsilon Hyperion monoblocks, into Sound Lab M745PX electrostatic speakers). 

I've been told that I could really improve my system by upgrading the phono stage from the Manley Steelhead (although I've also been told that the Manley Steelhead is one of the best phono stages ever made).  
Interestingly, two of the top phono stages that I'm considering require a step-up transformer (SUT).  I'm not fully informed about any inherent advantages or disadvantages of using an SUT versus connecting directly to the phono stage itself.  

I suppose my current top two considerations for a phono stage are the Ypsilon VPS-100 and the EM/IA  LR Phono Corrector, both of which utilize an SUT.  I don't have a particular price range, but I find it hard to spend $100k on stereo components, so I'm probably looking in the $15k - $70k price range. 
Thanks. 

drbond
holmz's avatar
holmz
2,328 posts
 

@jperry 

Thanks for the recommendation, but it appears that the Nagra phono stage only has one MC input, and one MM input. To accommodate the Dohmann, I would need two MC inputs

I just got an older VPS.
It has 2x MC inputs, but I jumpered one to work as a MM.

I assume that a classic also can be gotten in 2x MC, with some extra coins.
(Just standard is 1xMM and 1xMC.)

The Classic is likely a step up, but my pockets are not as deep as I would like them to be.

jperry
2,430 posts
 

You can likely have the Classic Phono customized. If not you can run a SUT into the MM phono. The Nagra Classic replaced the VPS in 2020 and is better than the VPS, which it replaced.

If Nagra releases a HD Phono, which seems likely given they just started making a turntable, I am sure it will be impressive, having heard the HD preamp and DAC.

holmz's avatar
holmz
2,328 posts
 

The MC section is a SUT and loading card section, with jumpers for SUT/no-SUT, loading card/or not… etc.

 

The Nagra Classic replaced the VPS in 2020 and is better than the VPS, which it replaced.

How is it better?

The web site says:

Total harmonic distortion (THD + N): Please refer to the below graph

 

However the 2nd harmonic looks like it is 20+dB higher than the VPS.
Third harmonic looks the same,
And the noise on the Classic looks a lot lower on the Classic.

 

The ARC gear sound pretty good to me as well.

solypsa's avatar
solypsa
462 posts
 

@drbond One thing about EM/IA is that they wind their own SUTs and are known to be pretty easy to work with if changes are needed. Just a practical note...

Nice system!

jperry
2,430 posts
 

 

holmz

It sounds better. Have you heard it and compared? I have.

More to discover